Most everyone knows by now that having houseplants in the home provides a host of benefits, so for those of us who are pet owners, we need to be aware that some plants may be harmful if ingested. To circumvent this from ever happening, fill your home with pet-friendly plants. Here at Port Charlotte, the area’s premier florist, we’ve put together a list of popular, pretty, and easy-to-care-for plants that are also safe for pets.
Safe Plants for Pets
Spider Plant
Full, spiky, and unique looking with grassy-like green leaves trimmed in yellow, Spider Plants are pet-friendly and easy to grow. They are great house plants due to their resilience and air-purifying properties.
Calathea Orbifolia
A tropical beauty with big, oval leaves decorated with pale silver stripes, the Calathea Orbifolia is an exquisite ornamental house plant that requires humidity and partial shade. A great plant for the bedroom or on a shelf, the Calathea Oribifolia is pet-friendly.
Bird’s Nest Fern
This fern variety has long, light green fronds with crinkled edges that give it a dynamic and interesting look. The leaves grow out of a central rosette and can get close to 2 feet long. The Bird’s Nest Fern is pet-friendly and thrives in a humid environment, like the bathroom.
Ponytail Palm
A whimsical plant with many thin leaves that sprout out of the top of its trunk and cascade downwards, much like a girl’s ponytail, the Ponytail Palm may be hard for your pet to resist playing with. No need to worry, though, as Ponytail Palms are safe for pets.
Haworthia / Echeveria
Succulent lovers will be happy to discover that the Haworthia and Echeveria varieties are pet-friendly. Coming in a variety of different styles, shapes, and colors, you can create a wonderful succulent garden with a mixture of these two succulents.
Watermelon Peperomia
Peperomia plants come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and are all pet-friendly. One of our favorites is the ornamental Watermelon Peperomia that has leaves decorated with a pattern resembling that of a watermelon.
Orchid
There are a lot of orchid lovers in America and most can’t have just one (including us!), which makes us very happy knowing that orchid plants and blooms are pet-friendly. This makes them even more appealing.
African Violet
A popular plant because of its charming, colorful flowers and easy to grow nature, the African Violet is safe for pets. This plant looks great in a hanging planter or in a container on your porch.
Signs of Poisoning in Pets
Even if your home is filled with nothing but pet-friendly plants, it’s still important to recognize the signs of poisoning in case Fluffy or Fido get into something they shouldn’t. Common items around the house, besides plants and flowers, are also toxic to pets, such as raisins, chocolate, avocado, prescription drugs, or pesticides. Symptoms of poisoning in pets consist of one or more of the following: lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, more than usual drooling, and dehydration. If it’s a mild account, these issues should resolve themselves within a few days. If not, take your pet to see the vet. Also, visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website for a comprehensive list of plants and flowers to keep away from cats and dogs.
There will likely be times when you can’t help but fall in love with a particular plant, or receive a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers. If they are not pet-friendly, or you’re not sure, use common sense and keep it out of reach of curious and determined furry paws. Hanging planters and high shelves are always good options for plants. Keep your home green and safe and enjoy the best of both worlds with plenty of plants and fur babies in your life.
